Bottle filling machine



Jan 5, 1954 E. NowAKowsKl 2,665,045

BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE Filed sept. 28, 1949 4 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. Edward nowakowski o m U I ITITH |I`HI|IIII|I IM=IHMIII|| ||l O II LI Q 86M @ma w 9 9 a I .T .4I II I I I 1 (Q 6 II I.. I I I I I 5 H |IuI. mu |Il I. n Il .b w 2 9 III .I I I ll II `Im .I L; I| I HUI-- I H m w my R0u\m E Z w W 5 I 5 l I|||I |I. n I I, ...T4 IIII IIIIII AII I 1|. IwIlIIJI-IVI W i III|1 Il I l IIII.| I|I w z L w mf@ o w n.7 L I Jan. 5, 1954 E. NowAKowsKl BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28 1949 LII/,

, INVENTOR. Edward owakowski Jan. 5, 1954 E. NowAKowsKl 2,665,045

BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE Filed sept. 28. 1949 4 sheets-sheet s IN VEN TOR. Edward howakou/ska Jan. 5, 1954 E. NowAKowsKl 2,655,045

BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28. 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

IN VEN TOR. Edward howakowski Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATE OFFICE BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE Application September 28, 1949, Serial No. 118,227

3 Claims. l

The invention relates to improvements in bottle filling machines and is more especially concerned with the provision in such a machine of a novel, non-foaming bottle filling valve and novel coordinated means to prevent excess fluid from dripping from the valves onto the bottles as they are advanced into and out of filling position.

Bottle filling machines usually include suit able step-by-step conveyor means to carry empty bottles into position beneath a filling valve,l

whereupon the valve is opened automatically to release a predetermined quantity of fluid into the bottle. When the bottle is lled to a predetermined level, the valve is closed off and the conveyor carries the filled bottle out from be neath the valve and positions the next succeeding bottle therebeneath to repeat the filling cycle. When bottles are filled with liquids which tend to foam when agitated during the filling operation such as, for example, shampoos, the flow into the bottle must stop before the bottle is completely filled or the foam will overflow and run down the outside of the bottle. Obviously, this is very objectionable; first, because when the foam subsides the bottle is not lled to the required level and, second, it becomes necesn sary to clean the outside of the bottle thoroughly before it is capped, labelled and packaged.

The present filling machine embodies a novel valve structure and associated mechanisms especially adapted for use in filling bottles or other containers with a liquid substance which tends to foam when agitated. The present construction is such that it will permit the bottle to be filled without the overflow caused by foaming thus avoiding the usual requirement that the bottle lip and outside surface be cleaned after filling.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a filling machine with novel means to prevent overfiowing resulting from foaming of the material handled thereby.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novelly constructed valve.

Another object is to provide novel means to prevent any drip from the valve being deposited on the bottles moving therebeneath.

Another object is to provide a novel means to coordinate the opening and closing of the valve with the drip catching means.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and Will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a bottle filling machine illustrating features of the present invention, but showing the conveyor and bottle positioning means broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the portion of the machine illustrated in Fig. l showing parts thereof broken away to illustrate the detail construction thereof.

Fig. 3 is a horizonal sectional View taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line lI-fiof Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of one of the valves, said valve being shown in one-half section.

Fig. G is a sectional detail View taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary central sectional view of the valve shown in Fig. 5, illus trating a bottle in filling position thereover.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional detail view similar to Fig. 7, taken at right angles to the plane of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

The bottle filling apparatus selected for the purpose of illustrating the features embodied in the present invention preferably includes a plurality of vertical stationary posts Il which extend from a suitable base (not shown) to a header for purposes of supporting various mechanisms. The posts Ii are arranged around a vertically disposed reservoir I2. As best shown in Fig. 2, the reservoir I2 consists of a substantially deep cylindrical shell I3 having its lower margin firmly secured, as by welding, to a cast cup-shaped bottom I4. The bottom It has an axial boss or hub I5 depending therefrom, which hub receives therethrough a vertically mounted rotatable shaft I 6. The structure is such that the reservoir I3 is firmly mounted on the shaft I5 so that it will rotate in unison with said shaft when the latter is rotatably driven in a manner to be described presently.

The reservoir I2 is adapted tc contain a liquid, such as for example, a shampoo, and is provided with a filling inlet I'I and a float controlled valve including a float i8. An overflow trough I9 surrounds the upper margin of the reservoir. A plurality of bottle lling valves, generally indicated at El, extend downwardly from the bottom of the reservoir as shown. There are nine such valves in the apparatus illustrated and each of these valves normally is closed so as to prevent liquid from being. dispensed therethrough. Each valve includes, also, means operable `at predetermined intervals to open the valve for filling a bottle positioned thereover.

As best illustrated in Figs. and 7,-.each valve includes a tubular fitting 22 which is externally threaded at its open upper fend, 'as rat .23, so :as

to be rmly mounted in -a .tapped Aopening 224 (Fig. 2) in the reservoir bottom It. The threaded end of the tting 22 preferably includes a sealing flange 25 and its lower end is formed with a reduced diameter which is externally threaded as at 2G. Upon referring to Fig. 7, it will be noted thatthe.lowerend'offtheflttingZE has an internal flange `2i' providing a shoulder 2?.. A tubular xtension 29, having :an outside diameter corresponding substantially vwith "the inside diameter of the shouldered externally threaded. end 2e ofthetting, is attached to said tting preferably by having its upper'end thrust into substantial abutment with the shoulder 28. A packing gland 3l, carried by the Vtubularextension 2S, is screw threaded onto 'the-threaded tting end 26 Ato prevent .inadvertent displacement of the tubular fitting-andto prevent leakage.

Still referring to Fig. 7, the lower-end of Ythe tubular .fitting .29 is provided with a .tubular extension S?. which'has'in at leastnportion thereof, an inside diameter considerably larger .than the inside diameter .of .the.tubularextension The extension 32 preferably -is .welded, at 3:3,..to the tubular'extension'.ZSfand :its free lower end is internally threaded as at 3,4 to .receive inthreading engagementtherewith anipple .35. The nipple 'has :an .inside diameter rsubstantif-illy less than the inside diameter of the fitting 32 so :tas to provide ashoulderf.

A valve element 3l is mounted for vertical -reciprocation in the extension 32. .Asbest shown in Fig. 7, this valve element consistsof 'athreaded stem 38 having adjacent its lower end a resilient washer 35 `heldin an'adjusted position'by abutting collars YH. wardly into the tubular extension T29 `and .is threaded to receive spacers l2 which 'maintain the stem 33 in axial alignment "within said yextension 2G. A spring 43 iis arranged within the tubular extension -29 and has its lower endbearing against the top spacer v42 and its upper end bearing against the shoulder 28. In this 'man-- ner, the valve element 3l normally is held ina closed position with the resilient washer 39 seated on the shoulder 3.6 of nipple'35.

It should be quite evident that the valve '21 normally is lled .with liquid which is permitted to flow downwardly therefrom only'when the resilient washer 39 is raised off .of its valve seat 36. In .order to lfacilitate .opening movement Yof the valve element 3?, the stem 38 has an .extension li!! which projects beyond the end ofthenipple 5. Engagement with .and -upward movement of the stem extension will carry the resilient washer Si! `off of the -seat and permit the contents of the reservoir l2 to flow through the open valve into any container provided therebeneath. It might be observed `that free passage The stem 38 extends uplscope it over thefaxially aligned valve 2|. shown in Figs. 'Zand 7, a bottle 46 is in filling sured by milling the spacers 42 in the manner indicated in Fig. 6.

As has been noted hereinbefore, the receptacle I2 has a plurality of said bottle filling valves 2i depending from its bottom I4. These valves are circumferentially spaced apart and each are disposed vertically over a bottle elevating mechanism gcnerallyindicated at 115. The mechanism 45, described in detail later, is adapted to receive a bottle delivered thereto, in a manner to be described hereinafter, while it is in a lowered position. Immediately following the positioning of a bottle on an elevating mechanism, said mechanism .is .raised :to :elevate the bottle and telepositionover a related valve. When in such position, the bottom '7 of the bottle @G has struck the #stem'extension and urged said extension upwardly to open the valve and permit fluid to flow into -the bottle. The filling of the bottle continues while the reservoir l2 and theelevating wmechanism .are rotating about .their axis IB in a counter-clockwise direction. When the elevated :bottle has reached a station located in advance of the stationat which empty bottles are elevated over the valves, the elevated bottle :has been lled to the desired level whereupon said bottle .and .its elevating -mechanism are lowered into suchposition as to be clear of the valve. As soon as the'fllled bottle-starts its downward movement, the -valve 2| is closed. The lled bottle then is conveyed, in a manner to be described presently, out from beneath the valve and is directedaway from the filling mechanism.

The bottle elevating 'mechanisms 45, previously referred to,'are carriedby a circular flange or turntable-48 having its Yhub 9 firmly secured. to the rotatableshaft It `below the reservoir l2. The flange is provided with a plurality (nine) of circumferentially spaced vertical guides 5B, one fin axial alignment with. each valve 2l. A vertical .stem 5! is freely slidable in each guide. The lower end lof each stem 5i carries a .roller 52 which. normally .rides along an elevated tract: 53 during rotation of the flange 48. The'track is .semi-.circular in shape and is concentric with the flange 4B. The upper .end of each stem v5l has a shelf :54 firmly secured thereon. As best Shown in Figs. Zand 3, each shelf 5d has a pair of `vertical diverging walls 55 constituting a backing to limit movement of a bottle being positioned thereon. At leastone of the diverging walls AV55 'on each shelf 54 has a vertical extension 56 l(Fig. 2) carrying a horizontal arm 5T. The Varm'5'l is provided at its projecting end with a hingedly connected fork 58, which fork is engaged by the neck of the bottle so as to insure alignment of the bottle mouth with the related valve'2l. Additional means t0 insure alignment of a bottlewith the related valve is provided by a vertical guide rod 59 which has its lower end rmly V.anchored in the flange v4,8 and extends through an aperture in the shelf.

Vertical reciprocation V.of .an elevating Vmechanism `containing Yan empty bottle and of .the elevating mechanism containingthe lled bottle is obtained rby providing vertically -reciprocal push 'rods 6| -(one shown) at the loading land unloading stations. Each of these push rods has a horizontal top plate 62 suitably arched to conform with the curvature'of the track 53. When in elevatedpositions, the-topplates 62 arein the same plane as the track 53. -When .in their OI" liquid through the tubular` extension!!! is aslowermost positions they are located far below said track at a distance corresponding to the distance through which the bottle is to be elevated or lowered. It is therefore believed to be sufficient to note that said reciprocal push rods move through the distances noted hereinabove. As a consequence of this reciprocation, an empty bottle positioned on a lowered shelf 54 is raised into telescoped position over its related valve and is held in that position for filling until the reservoir and flange 4B substantially complete their cycle of rotation. At that time the elevating mechanism roller 52 moves onto the top plate 62 of the second push rod which then moves into its lowered position.

Before entering into a detailed description of the means for feeding empty bottles to and conveying lled bottles from the lling apparatus, it should be noted that each valve is provided with means to cooperate with the open mouth of the bottle to prevent overflowing resulting from foaming. To this end the valve 2l includes an external sleeve 63 slidably mounted on the fitting 22. The upper end of the sleeve has an en larged externally threaded diameter to receive a packing nut 515i thereon. A shoulder 65 formed at the base of the threaded enlargement provides an abutment for a collar 65 having a resilient washer 61 firmly secured to its bottom face. The collar 66 preferably is welded to the shoulder S5. A tension spring 68 disposed between the collar 65 and fitting flange 25 normally urges the sleeve E3 and collar 66 downwardly into the position substantially as illustrated in Fig. 5.

When a bottle is telescoped over the valve, the rim of the bottle neck 69 abuts the resilient washer 6l' and urges said washer and its associated parts upwardly against the resiliency of the spring 68. In this manner the mouth of the bottle is sealed against the escape of any foam or liquid. The sealing washer is mounted in the manner described so as to compensate for any normal variations in the overall height of stock bottles.

To vent the bottles during the filling operation,

the sleeve 63 and fitting 22 are provided with substantially registering openings 1! (Fig. 8). These openings are located below the lowerinost position assumed by the sealing washer Sl. A vent tube T2, having a port 'i3 communicating with the openings li, is firmly secured to the inside surface of the fitting 22, preferably as by welding at 14. The vent tube extends upwardly beyond the upper end of the fitting 22 and has coupling means 'l5 (Fig. 2) at its upper end for connection with a vertical tubular extension 16. It will be noted, upon references to Fig. 2, that the extension 'I6 terminates substantially at the top of the reservoir l2. In this manner the air displaced within the sealed bottle during the filling operation is vented through the openings 1! and 'I3 and vent tube 12.

The bottle filling apparatus is provided with novel means to prevent drip from the valves from falling onto the outside of the bottles prior to and after they have been filled. To this end a vertical shaft 8| (Fig. 1) is journalled in a spider 82 carried on a built-up frame structure 83 extending horizontally from and mounted on one of the posts il. As shown in Fig. 1, the shaft 8l extends below the bracket 82 and carries on its lower end a hub 84 having three radially extending circumferentially spaced blades 85. The shaft 8l is so positioned with respect to the depending valves on the reservoir I2 that the blades 85 thereon may be successively positioned beneath the valves while said valves are located at the bottle discharging stations.

Intermittent step-by-step rotation of the shaft 8l is obtained through a cam actuated rack mechanism best shown in Figs. 1 and 4. As there illustrated, the shaft 8l carries a bracket 85 mounted below the spider 32. This bracket includes suitable bearings for the shaft 8i and is adapted to provide means for supporting a gear 8l loosely on said shaft. A rack 83, reciprocally mounted in the bracket 8E, is adapted to mesh at all times with the gear 8l. Mounted immediately above the gear 81 and keyed or otherwise secured firmly to the shaft 8i is a ratchet wheel 89 having a spring pressed pawl SI, pivotally secured at 92 on the gear Sl, in engagement therewith.

The rack 88 is adapted to be reciprocated in timed sequence with the rotation of the shaft i6 so as to impart step-by-step rotation to the shaft 8|. Such reciprocation is effected by providing a link structure including links Q3 and 9ct which operatively connect the rack to a follower 95 pivotally secured at one end, as at 96, to a ilange 97 on one of the posts il. The follower carries a roller 98 which, owing to the tension of a spring 99, rides upon the peripheral edge of a cam |00 carried on a vertical shaft it! Obviously, rotation of the cam shaft itl will impart reciprocable movement to the rack 85.

The shaft I0! extends downwardly through suitable bearings provided in the frame of the machine and has a pair of sprocket wheels it? and m3 (Fig. 3) firmly secured to its lower end. The sprocket wheel m3 is connected as by a chain illd with a sprocket |05 carried on a vertical stud shaft I 06. The stud shaft HB5 also carries a horizontal bevel gear Nil which meshes with a companion bevel gear itil carried on a horizontal shaft ill@ extending outwardly from a gear reduction box H0. A shaft Hi also ex tends out of said gear reduction box li, which shaft carries a pulley H2 having a belt H3 trained thereover. The belt i3 operatively connects the pulley H2 with a suitable source of power (not shown).

Rotation of the reservoir shaft it also is obtained through operative connections between said shaft and the box i iii. As shown in Fig. 3, the reservoir shaft it has a gear il?? secured firmly adjacent its lower end, which gear meshes with a gear il@ carried by a vertical stud shaft iiii. The shaft it also carries a sprocket Hl. A chain. 13 is trained over the sprocket lil and over a sprocket l i@ carried on a second stud shaft iZi having a pinion 22 secured firmly thereon. The pinion i252 meshes with a pinion 23 on the stud shaft it. The ratios between the various gears, pinions and sprockets are suoli that the intermittently rotatable shaft Si carrying the drip catching blades 35 moves through one-sixth of a revolution each time the rack is reciproca-ted. The rack is reciprocated twice each time the reservoir I2 and its depending valves and associated elevators advance one station. As a cona sequence, a blade 35 is moved between the lower end of the valve and the open top of a nlied bottle after said bottle is lowered. It remains in this position while the lled bottle is being pushed out from beneath the valve in a manner to be described presently. Any drip from the valve will fall onto the top surface of the blade, and when the blade continues its movement during machine operation, it is subsequently located beneath a suction line i213, which draws off the drip.

Empty bottles `may .be delivered 4 to the :filling machine 2in any :.approvedainanner. However, Yit is-preferred that they :be-conveyedtowards said machine asvby means of alinkbelt ila'extending across ithe front .of vsaid machine on :a vertical planecorresponding to the .plane of the i elevators when -said elevators are in their lowered :positions.

Upon referring to Fig. '3, it will fbe noted that bottles carried toward the machine yon the linl; 4belt i125 arede'flected substantially at right angles to'saidlbelt by the curved end |26 of a guide wall 12?. When a bottie is carried against the curved end 126 of said wall Aitis engaged `byfone `of :a plurality of radial arms M3 mounted -or rotation-in a horizontal plane on a vertical shaft 129. Rotation is imparted to the shaft V29 bymeansfof a chain lei trained over a sprocket 32 on said shaft and a second. sprocket v33 carried on a cam shaft lill. The rotation of thearms 1128 ispoordinated with the rotation of the reservoir shaft 'lle so 'that as a bottle is pushed Itransversely off of the link'belt V25, it movesontoa lowered shelf 54. When a bottle is filled and said lledbottle is again carried into its lowered position, it may be removed from its shelf E4 preferably by=means vof -a pusher arm i3d extending radially "from a vertical shaft 35 operatively connected as by a chain '36 tothe driven shaft H6. When vthe pusher arm i3d moves in a clockwise Idirection over the lowered shelf 5d and behind lthe lilled bottle thereon, said bottle is urged on" `ci' said shelf and onto a 'turn table E37 'from where it subsequentlyis moved onto the receding portion 'of the link belt conveyor i125.

Although an exemplary form of construction has been disclosed vin the accompanying drawings land described in detail in the foregoing specification, it should be understood'that the invention is primarily concerned with the construction yand operation of the filling -valves and the means for preventing liquid or foam from fiowing onto the outside surfaces of the containers. It should'be understood further that the invention is capable of embodying a wide variety of modi-- fications in detail construction Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe appended claims.

'I claim:

l. In a iilling machine, a vertically depending valve including an open ended tubular body connected at its upper end with a source of supply and having a valve seat adjacent its open lower end, a valve element in said tubular body normally cooperating with the valve seat to close the valve, means engageable by the bottom of a container when said container is telescoped upwardly over said tubular body effective to move the valve element and open said valve, means on the body to close the filling opening of the container while the Valve is open, and a vent passageway Within the tubular body opening into fthe container below the closing means and communicating with atmosphere.

i2. :In "afbottlej'lling machine including ya supply reservoir fior :liquid anda plurality of normally closed `dispensing valves depending from said reservoinaturn-table below said container, said turn-table including bottle receiving compartments, lmeans to deliver bottles one at a time to said turn-'table compartments, continuously operable-meansto rotate the turn-table and reservoir inunison to retain the bottles beneath said respective valve, means operable to elevate a bottlecompartment and `telescopei-he bottle therein upwardly overa-valve forllngand'to lower said compartment'whenthe bottle isiilled, said valve being opened and rclosed'by 'the raising and lowering of Vtlrebottlasa paddle wheel rotatable in one'direction only'operablezintermittently in con- 'junctionwvith'the sai-d telescoping means to catch drip, and :means to `remove liquid deposited on said paddle wheel.

.3. In a 'bottle filling machine including a supply reservoir for liquid and a plurality of normally closed `ldispensing valves Idepending from said reservoir, a rturn-,able below said container, vertically reciprocable bottle receiving compartments onsaid'turn-table one beneath each valve, means including 'an endless conveyor to deliver bottles to said compartments, meansvoperable to yrotatethe turn-table and supplyreservoir in unison, cam=means operable 'to elevate selected bottle receiving compartments to telescope bottles therein over related :dispensing valves, means engageable-by an eieva'ted bottle to open the valve therein, said cam means being effective to lower lthe bottle and permit rthe valve to close when the .bottle is filled, apaddle wheel rotatable in one direction only rto successively locate one of its vpaddles beneath a-valve` immediately after a relReferences Cited A.in the iileof this patent 'UNITED STATES PATENTS Number .Name Date 523,013 'Small'wood July 17, 1894 v549,251 Page Nov. 5, 1895 624,335 Hucks, Jr May 2, 1899 660,101 Goodlett Oct. 23, 1900 '720,562 Castle Feb. 17,1903 833,637 Sheflield Oct. 16, 1906 V878,243 ASchneider Feb. 4, 1908 1,204,607 Strandt Nov. 14, 1916 1,355,015 Thompson Oct, 5, 1920 1,386,299 Wright et al Aug. 2, 1921 '1,793,684 Dunn Feb. 2li, 1931 v2,266,497 Huntley let al Dec. 16, 194i 2,272,208 Jorgensen Feb. 10, 1942 2,324,793 Minard July 20, 1943 

